Until this turned up in my mixed case from The Beer Hawk I didn’t know that it existed.
Doing about two minutes of research I discovered that it’s brewed at the same place as Chimay, the Abbey of Notre Dame de Scourmont.
So is it a Trappist beer or is it an Abbey beer?
I’m not going to waste any time finding out, but if you know then please get in touch.
What I will say is that I’m aware that many Abbey beers are contract brewed for the Abbeys in question while generally the Trappist ones are not.
Though I may be wrong.
I often am.
Whatever the provenance, Monts Des Cats is really very nice.
Pouring a dark ruby red, the aroma is aniseed balls, cherries and bread dough.
There’s a wash of soft malt that’s rich with raisins, croissants, a touch of Cognac and some heather honey.
Everything’s pleasantly sticky, mouth coating but not cloying, and over this the hops are green herbal leaves and black tea, hazelnuts and a hint of sour apple juice that leaves a sweet, dry honey sweet finish.
Very good indeed.

Source: The Beer Hawk